7 gadgets for gifting
Our buying guide for the season's hottest gadgets, from e-readers to accessories for your home theater.
By Kim Thai
1.Put on your reading glasses
E-readers might be the best office innovation since Post-its. Give the whole family this, and you'll all be getting through "War and Peace" faster than you think.
Things to keep in mind: Think of your audience. Not everyone will like an e-reader, but you might be surprised at who will.
E-readers' biggest customers are in the 35-to-54 age range. So, yes, your dad will probably like it, but your son might not.
Our picks: Kindle, $259; Nook, $259
2. A new netbook, notebook, and desktop! Oh my!
Forget about Twitter or Google Wave; upgrade a loved one's hardware this year with a new computer.
Things to keep in mind: Don't go with the latest trend. Yes, Macs are cool. But maybe your mom won't be able to adjust to the operating system and would prefer Windows 7 more. And while netbooks are in, she might like working on a 17-inch laptop rather than a 10-inch netbook.
Our picks: Nokia Booklet 3G, $299.99 with a two-year AT&T data contract or $599.99 without a contract; 27-inch, quad-core iMac, $1,999
3. For your viewing pleasure
If you know some holdouts who haven't gone flat-screen yet, help them get with the program.
Things to keep in mind: Go for picture quality, not name brand. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed by all the screens in the store playing the same "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" preview over and over again.
Most folks will give up and choose the brand they know. But try not to do that. Instead, take a moment to look at brightness, color sharpness, and image quality. And if the vampires seem too pale, move on.
Our picks: 55-inch Samsung UNB8500, $4,499.99; 54-inch Panasonic TC PV10, $2399.95
4. Beyond the iPhone
Spare your teenager the shame of a flip phone, and get him something a little smarter -- a smartphone, that is.
Things to keep in mind: Don't get swept up in the iPhone vs. BlackBerry war. Every manufacturer and carrier has a great smartphone to offer, so shop around before making a decision. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what's out there.
Our picks: HTC Hero, $179.99 (after rebate) with a two-year Sprint contract; Motorola Droid, $199.99 (after rebate) with two-year Verizon Wireless contract
5. The theater experience
No home theater is complete without a few key accessories, so consider giving these amped-up extras.
Things to keep in mind: It can be hard to know what to invest in when so many gadgets become obsolete in just a few months, so play around with your purchase.
Look for the DVR system that will let you watch your shows anywhere -- including on your phone -- or an HD player that takes "on demand" to another level.
Our picks: Slingcatcher, $199.99; Roku HD player, $99.99
6. Let's get cookin'
Don't forget about the kitchen. Some of the best tech gifts can turn an everyday cook into a top chef.
Things to keep in mind: Think practical, plus sleek. Instead of going to your local retail store to find the latest kitchen appliances, look online to see how many solutions companies -- both big and small -- have devised to make your life easier, and to hear what other shoppers have to say.
Our picks: Waring cordless wine opener, $39.95; Otto espresso maker $733; Presto 23-quart pressure canner, $74
7. Game on!
The holidays just wouldn't be the holidays without the obligatory board -- or video -- game.
Things to keep in mind: Sustainability over game play. We are in a recession, and sometimes games (as good as they are) will only last a month or two before an avid player exhausts them.
Try to pick games that have extensive game play with enough layers to entertain the user continuously. Otherwise, you might as well rent.
Our picks: PS3, $299 (new low price); DJ Hero, $119.99; The Beatles Rock Band (software only), $59.99 for Xbox 360, Wii, or PS3
